Best 5 String Under $1K?

[StrivingOn]

Thinking about taking the plunge. I've been looking at Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier, Sterling Stingrays, Steinberger. Active would be cool but not imperative. I'm a guitar player who's been spending a lot of time studying bass recently. I have a PBass, Jazz Bass (both Fernandes), a Hofner Club and an Ibanez Talman. I guess GAS has taken hold. My interest in 5 string is to use a high C for chord work. Any suggestions?

 

[skycruiser]

I don't have any particular recommendations but wonder if a medium scale might be better for E-C tuning.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I can say that there are good options with Ibanez SR50X and up, Yamaha TRBX series and Schecter. Your best bet is to try as many as possible in a store and see what feels and sounds good to you.

You may get some better responses if you share your budget parameters. Good luck with this quest.

 

[StrivingOn]

Thanks. As I said in the title, under $1K

 

[StrivingOn]

I don't have any particular recommendations but wonder if a medium scale might be better for E-C tuning.

Medium meaning 32.75?

 

[A9X]

My interest in 5 string is to use a high C for chord work.

Almost nothing comes ex factory E-C, so you're going to need a set up and maybe a new nut.
I love my Ibanezes and they are my go to recommendation. Physically any SR will fell like any other, it's just the materials and electronics that differ. New the 405 seems to be about the price/$ value point, but there are a bajillion second hand and you might be able to find a higher model for the same money as mew. My first SR 6 was the base SR256B and for what I paid for that new, I lucked onto a 1 owner near mint SR706 with factory HSC for just a bit more. I still have both.

I've tried a couple of Corts and they don't feel quite the same but are not too far off in terms of feel. Not enough experience with Schecters, but have been told the same.

WRT the Steinberger 'Woodbergers', they're good basses, but because of the small body and no pivot plate like the XL2, the reach to fret 1 is longer as the bass hangs further to the left. The fix costs $10 and a 1/2 hour of your time to make a strap extender. Good basses all around. I have 3 80's Hohners, a recent Spirit, Spirit guitar and an XL2 so I have some perspective. I'm so used to playing the XL2 that the small size feels at home, but to many it feels odd, and some people will make asinine remarks about it's appearance.
I have little experience with the full size body versions, but would expect them to sound the same, just have a different hang because of the shape. Double ball strings aren't hard to get, it's just you'll likely need to order them rather than stop by the local store unless you get a single ball adapter.

Because you want E-C, I'd say try 6s in the same range as you're looking at. For example, try an SR506 and like the tone and feel, then an SR505 will feel and sound the same just with a narrower neck and one less string.

One final suggestion is a Bass VI style instrument. Harley Benton have one that looks excellent for the money with a video review here. I have 2 Ibanez SRC6s which are the same concept and love them. Their main use for me at the moment (post lockdown anyway) is to accompany two girls who sing and play acoustics and I play the melody work under their rhythmic strumming.

 

[skycruiser]

Medium meaning 32.75?

I think the medium scale basses are usually 32" but there is probably a range of scale lengths out there (plus the multi-scale basses that do more to give you even timbre across the range of string gauges and tuning).

 

[Moving Pictures]

Thanks. As I said in the title, under $1K

You’re right. I wasn’t caffeinated enough when I read that. Lots of choices in that range.

 

[StrivingOn]

WRT the Steinberger 'Woodbergers', they're good basses, but because of the small body and no pivot plate like the XL2, the reach to fret 1 is longer as the bass hangs further to the left. The fix costs $10 and a 1/2 hour of your time to make a strap extender.

Thanks for your detailed post. I’ll look into all the choices you mentioned. I have a XT-2 and am trying to decide whether to keep it. My gripe is what you mentioned. The reach to the first fret is very uncomfortable and my hand and arm get tired too quickly. The extender you mention is something I’ve heard a lot of folks discuss. I didn’t gather that it would solve the reach problem. Thought I’d was just about getting the strap to hang better. Where would I get one of those? It probably wouldn’t solve the reach problem when sitting though, right?

 

[A9X]

The extender you mention is something I’ve heard a lot of folks discuss. I didn’t gather that it would solve the reach problem.

It certainly does.

Thought I’d was just about getting the strap to hang better.

Does that too.

Where would I get one of those?

You make it. Strip of steel or Al from the hardware, cut to length and drill 3 holes in it. Pics are from an NS Stick, but it's identical. Best thing with DIY is you can make it any length that feels good and correct to yourself.

It probably wouldn’t solve the reach problem when sitting though, right?

Never found it to be an issue, I just use the leg rest.

 

[And I]

if you like tighter string spacing (i assume this is preferred for chord work?) then G&L Tribute and Ibanez make a few basses in your price range that should fit the bill.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Ibanez BTB845V

33 in scale and set up E-C in the factory

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I'd look for one used personally. They are 999.99 USD new

 

[getBAK]

For a general 5-string under $1000, it's hard to beat the Yamaha TBRX605 with a street price of $680. I've not tried one with the High C.
A solution that no one has brought up for a guitar player is the Fender Bass VI. This is technically a baritone guitar, but let's not talk semantics. For chordal stuff, I don't think it can be beat
Squire Version is $500
Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI - 3-Tone Sunburst

 

[A9X]

They are 999.99 USD new

I thought they were more than that or I would have suggested it earlier. I have the 846v and I love it.

A solution that no one has brought up for a guitar player is the Fender Bass VI.

You mean like I did in post 6?

This is technically a baritone guitar, but let's not talk semantics.

Nope. It's a bass.

 

[MarMar]

Thinking about taking the plunge. I've been looking at Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier, Sterling Stingrays, Steinberger. Active would be cool but not imperative. I'm a guitar player who's been spending a lot of time studying bass recently. I have a PBass, Jazz Bass (both Fernandes), a Hofner Club and an Ibanez Talman. I guess GAS has taken hold. My interest in 5 string is to use a high C for chord work. Any suggestions?

Fernandes! I love Fernandes basses!

 

[Michael Jewels]

A Schecter CV-5.

Very vintage-sounding and very versatile. Passive. $699.
Yamaha, Ibanez and ESP-LTD are also good.

 

[A9X]

do you think you’re actually gonna get any fact based answers here?

Well then, please define what 'facts' you would consider to be appropriate and worthwhile to post in a thread like this.

 

[JW56789]

The biggest Squier with the longest name: Contemporary Active Jazz Bass Five String. Terrifically quiet electronics, great low B, Yamaha-esque perfect 'piano black' paint job. Volume/Pan/Tone/ boost-only bass and treble stacked. Solid Ash body and maple neck, satin-finished. May be too heavy and/or big for some, but that stout wood makes for great low C's and D's, and great definition up and down the fingerboard. THIS was a very pleasant surprise, and I've been very satisfied for the spend, and I far prefer this thing's modern tone and build to their more common Jazz Five with passive pickups. A real sleeper.

 

[tallulahsdaddy]

Ditto on getting a 6 string. I can't say you'll be as lucky, but I just found a used Peavey USA Cirrus 6 in great condition for a cool grand!

 

[mrcbass]

It kind of depends on what you're looking to do with it, but here are several options that I like for a new 5 string under $1000.
Squier - I've found them to be quite serviceable.
ESP - MTD series. Very solid instrument.
Ibenez 505 - Was my first 5 er
Sire Marcus Miller V or P series - I can vouge for this only so far that I have one on order (P7)

I own, have owned or will own all of the above and would do so again.

As mentioned above, plan to put in a new nut to accommodate your E-C tuning desire. I can't speak to how any of the above would perform E-C. I always use B-G. I can't imagine it's an issue unless the EQ/Tone doesn't like the higher notes.